Could someone please give me some feedback on choosing between these 2 amps, I plan on running 4 polk DB651 speakers and a sub, I know the mbquart is a class D amp, and the boss is a class A/B but it is marine rated , but would like for someone more knowlegable to look at the specs, I'm not sure I know enough to choose the one that is the best bang for the buck
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BOSS-AUDIO-MR1000-4-Channel-1000W-Marine-Amplifier-/350485427956?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519a8f36f4

This is the amp I have running almost an identical setup as you are talking about and it has worked out well. It's reasonably price, is ample to power those polk db speakers and an 8--10" sub. If anything, the sub channel is a bit short on power on paper. But that said, I am powering a polk MM series sub and don't have the gain turned up past 1/3 of the way.

I think a lot of this would depend on the size sub you plan on running too. IMHO I'd run a separate amp for the sub and use a Cadence amp. I told them I was using this in my boat and the salesman told me they would warranty the amp even if I submerged it in water. I bought my amp directly from Cadence. off hand I can't remember which model it was but was used to power my Wet Sounds Pro 80's

http://www.cadencesound.com/categories/Amplifiers/

EarmarkMarine

12-21-2011, 08:36 PM

Just an FYI, the MB Quart ONX4.125 is a Class AB amplifier despite what the seller claims.
Not a Class D.
The specs don't always mean a great deal as there is no regulating body to enforce compliance to any industry standard. You just have to do business with a manufacturer that is trustworthy.
I also agree that the subwoofer selection should determine the amplifier.

David
Earmark Marine

east tx skier

12-21-2011, 08:39 PM

And the enclosure type as well. Don't need as much power for a ported/BR enclosure as you do for a sealed enclosure.

/see, David. I've been paying attention. :)

81SNS

12-22-2011, 08:55 AM

I am open to suggestions on the sub as well, I would like to use a 8" or 10", with a enclosed box

swatguy

12-22-2011, 11:38 AM

You def don't need a marine amp unless your boat is stored outside in the elements and doesn't get a chance to breath in high high humidity. People run car audio amps in boats way more than marinized versions. Marine audio has finally started to somewhat catch up on performance. As mentioned that MB Quart is also a class A/B amp.

If u want something to last I would stay away from the Boss amps...while they will work and people run them their power specs are notoriously over rated and areknown to be inefficient. Their marine amps are not the best quality either. Your speakers are only as good as the amp powering them. You have a decent speaker so I would go with a decent amp. Again you don't have to get a marine amp.

Those speakers really want 100watts ems going to them. You can get away 75watts. Having a smaller boat and minimal space I would again suggest a strong 4channel amp. There are tons of middle of road amps out there. I have always liked the kicker zx series amps for best bang for buck sound quality ratio. Their customer service is great I have been running their amps in my trucks for years. I have only had one go bad and they refurbed it for 50 bucks.

Like others suggest narrow down your sub choice. You can easily run 4 inboats and a sub off one 4 channel amp. You don't need a second amp at all.....that is unless u want to run a huge sub. Have a price range in mind for a sub? Stereo stuff is def one of those you get what you pay for things. However there is some decent stuff at each pricepoint. You will also find its the Chevy vs Ford debates on a lot of the brands in the middle of the road category.

east tx skier

12-22-2011, 12:01 PM

I am open to suggestions on the sub as well, I would like to use a 8" or 10", with a enclosed box

I have been very happy with my Polk MM840.

As for the speakers, they are definitely rated for 100 rms. But you can get away with less and they will sound great. But if you find a good amp in your price range that can give them the full juice, go for it.

I just picked up a 4 channel Polk amp from Polk's factory refurb ebay store that does 90 watts per channel rms for $199.

swatguy

12-22-2011, 12:09 PM

I have been very happy with my Polk MM840.

That would be good choice. IMO Polk gives you some of the higher end materials in lower end price range. The boat audio world isn't as harsh as the car audio in sound quality purely do to the open air and ambient noise enviorment. If you want a little more the 1040 or the 1040um are decent as well.

agarabaghi

12-22-2011, 01:13 PM

And the enclosure type as well. Don't need as much power for a sealed enclosure as you do for a ported/BR enclosure.

/see, David. I've been paying attention. :)

Sealed enclosures take more power than ported.

agarabaghi

12-22-2011, 01:14 PM

What about a price range for the sub?

EarmarkMarine

12-22-2011, 01:59 PM

Yes, bass-reflex/ported is usually more responsive than sealed which is what East Tx meant to write.

east tx skier

12-22-2011, 04:10 PM

Yes, bass-reflex/ported is usually more responsive than sealed which is what East Tx meant to write.

You understand me. 8p

/meant to write that the exact opposite of how it came out.

east tx skier

12-22-2011, 04:11 PM

That would be good choice. IMO Polk gives you some of the higher end materials in lower end price range. The boat audio world isn't as harsh as the car audio in sound quality purely do to the open air and ambient noise enviorment. If you want a little more the 1040 or the 1040um are decent as well.

I have often thought about trading up for the mm1040. But I get a lot of mileage out of that little 8 in the closed bow.

Heard great things about the Sundowns. Also heard that, for the money (under $100), the JBL GTO series of subs are pretty great.

agarabaghi

12-22-2011, 04:54 PM

Im running 2 Sundown audio SA10s in the boat now each on 1000w... they sounds awesome. But im going to be making a switch to 1 SSA Zcon on 2000w to save some storage room

81SNS

12-22-2011, 07:02 PM

I would like to stay in the 4-500.00 range total if possible, I have already spent over my winter/boat budget, I dont plan on using a head unit just ipod.

east tx skier

12-22-2011, 07:04 PM

There are plenty of options that will work. I'll just mention again the two that I have bought and know. Either that infinity 5 chan mentioned above or the Kappa 5 variant by Infinity or this 90 watt per channel polk 4 channel (http://www.ebay.com/itm/PA500-4-Car-Amplifier-Polk-Audio-800W-/230635159541?pt=Car_Amplifiers&hash=item35b2ed3ff5) will fit your budget (I just bought one of these Polk Amps from the Polk ebay store and it looks brand new).

Get one of the Master Monitor Polks 1040 or 840 for around $100 and build a custom box to put under the bow. Done deal. It will sound great and will stay well away from the high end of your budget. A ten under the bow will sound big if you have enough ventilation to the cockpit. Heck, the 8 I have sounds plenty big for me. I know of plenty of other people who have really liked that little 8" polk sub.

81SNS

12-22-2011, 11:00 PM

If I put the sub behind/under the observer seat, it will be aiming at the drivers feet, would it be overbearing? If I go up in the bow section with the sub I will have to do some major cutting in the forward wall to get up in there, I think an 8" will do me plenty, and thanks to all who have responded with help, I will probably need more help to get all this wired up

east tx skier

12-24-2011, 11:18 AM

Mine is pointed at the starboard side of the bow storage. You need adequate ventilation to the cockpit to be able to hear the b if you put it in the storage area.

Rossterman

08-12-2012, 11:35 PM

Just added a Polk 10" sub in the stock under drivers seat location and hifonics Brutus 1200watt amp to power the sub and works great. Have arc audio 5 channel amp with 190 watt sub out but adding a separate sub amp really helped. Great deal for the money. 450 watts rms @.1 and class D for under $160 bucks. Can't beat it!

Also brutus is ce2006 rated meaning its independently tested to verify the stated output is accurate so dont have to worry about about overrated as some are. Requires 4 guage wire and comes with 140 amp fuses so very stout for the money!